War: a terrible social and economic event where citizens’ viewpoints can be significantly altered through the simple words of a song. Throughout history, wartime propaganda music has influenced all who listen to it. Both good and bad thought provoking music has been released in the past. Tunes of all volumes and tones continue to persuade humans to think a certain way. The most recognized period for impactful music occurred during World War Two, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War.
Throughout Europe, bombs fall and bullets puncture the soft skin of strong soldiers fighting for their country to terminate Nazism in Germany. World War Two was in full swing. As for the United States, citizens were living normal lives listening to music protesting the war changing their interpretation of war in Europe. One emotional song about anti-war protest during WWII will leave an imprint in any one’s mind forever making it an impactful song to change viewpoints about WWII. “Soldiers Last Letter” composed by Ernest Tubb in 1944, pulls on the heartstrings, relating to those who had loved ones fighting in the war. A single line on the song brings a tear to one’s eye. “When the postman delivered a letter, it filled her dear heart full of joy, but she didn't know til’ she read the inside, it was the last one from her darling boy.” As you can see, one phrase from a song can make you feel as if in the shoes of a mother whose child will be killed in battle. A letter from your beloved soldier makes your day although as you read, your joy fades away after finding you will never hear from him again. Emotional propaganda music was the best to get across to the people as many can relate. Another portion of the song gets even deeper into sadness. “Then the mothe...
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...gy but the only difference is that Russians speak Russian and Americans speak English. As well as all aforementioned wars, this anti-war protest song has an emotional side to it; theatrical and evocative. Throughout the years, propaganda has been used in every which way known to man but no one kind is as effective as music.
War time music during the World War Two, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War era attempted to sway listeners to contemplate the hostile fighting in one way, either for or against war efforts. Song writers attempt to get across to populaces that war causes death and death causes immense sadness through propaganda-like melodies. They also try to get you to envision events from the eyes of someone directly affected by a war. Musical propaganda still does today and always will alter how citizens behave and perceive the ever-changing world around them.
Many soldiers who come back from the war need to express how they feel. Many do it in the way of writing. Many soldiers die in war, but the ones who come back are just as “dead.” Many cadets come back with shell shock, amputated arms and legs, and sometimes even their friends aren’t there with them. So during World War I, there was a burst of new art and writings come from the soldiers. Many express in the way of books, poems, short stories and art itself. Most soldiers are just trying to escape. A lot of these soldiers are trying to show what war is really like, and people respond. They finally might think war might not be the answer. This is why writers use imagery, irony and structure to protest war.
What is the truth behind the song mentioned above that children sing so often during those days? Ironic how the soldiers who came home from the war not only brought life, for they came back alive, but also brought what will soon become the death of so many. It all started in March of the year 1918 in which at Fort Riley located in the state of Kansas, an Army private reported symptoms such as headache, fever, as well as sore throat. It seemed like mild symptoms but by noon the count of soldiers who were ill of the same symptoms totaled up to one-hundred.2 Doctors everywhere were puzzled about what might be causing this illness.
Music of the 40s was swing, blues, country, but above all the sixteen piece big band. World War II may have been the focus of the decade, but music was the focus of the war. Songs ranged from patriotic songs to songs for fun and dancing such as the Rumba, mambo, cha-cha, and conga line. These South American dances became very popular during the 1940s especially among the women (Popular and Social Dance). The war was a very emotional period for everyone, not just the soldiers, so the music of the war tapped into a lot of emotions. The songs were made for people to help get through their rough times. The emotions ranged from hope and love to loneliness and heartbreak. Music was an ionic symbol of World War II. Music continues to affect the modern-day world in positive ways (Rose,
"HUT, TWO, THREE, FOUR...HUT, TWO, THREE, FOUR...” What do a bunch of grunts calling out raunchy marching cadences have to do with pop culture? There’s more to the cadence then just keeping soldiers in step, there is a deep sense of pride, patriotism, unity, motivation, and nostalgia, which can be found within these songs. The Military cadence is used to motivate, inspire, and foster company cohesiveness while keeping soldiers steps in time and hands down the rich oral traditions of the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air force. The cadence is a song sung when marching or running and the songs require a caller, who normally sets the pace and leads the formation. Like robots, the soldiers echoed their leader's sing-song" Jody Call" in beat to their pounding footsteps. The way a unit sounds while running or marching tends to reflect on that unit's morale and leadership. This paper will illustrate the similarities that cadences share with pop culture music through lyrical examples. As you will see, the lyrics of these cadences are expressions of individual feelings, goals, and fears, and are quite similar to the themes of other popular culture musical genres. The theories of subculture, appropriation and improvisation that have been proposed in lecture will be reviewed and illustrated within cadences. The military cadence as a subcultures oral tradition will be examined, through analyzing the theories of popular music which can be applied to the genres’ history, structure, and socio-political influences.
KA-BOOM, BANG BANG, POW, the noises of war. Many resent these sounds for it represents a horrible event to them. War can be seen as senseless fighting. It has claimed the lives of so many people around the world. But war is more than just fighting because it can bear advantageous fruits that a country can use to thrive. The United States especially has grown because of war. It has brought us from a country that farms into one that uses factories. World War II was the origin of many beneficial things to the United States such as hegemony, a revived economy, and new technology.
Aimee hears, “flags snapp[ing] like whips and the crooning of the wind harmoniz[ing] with the steady sound of human crying” (Baskin 181). All of the sorrow and pain felt by the crowd gathered is released through their sounds and together these sounds produce a musical composition. Their cries produce exquisite melodies and harmonies because everyone in the crowd is experiencing the same general emotions of mourning and heartbreak. Music has strong effects on one’s emotions and the music playing during the 9/11 memorial service is certainly filled with an array of heartbroken emotions. The music the crowd creates symbolizes how the tragedies of 9/11 bind all Americans
World War II caused much pain for German, American and French composers and musicians, but also made the music what it is. Although it is sad and hard to listen to, it is still beautiful art and music. Only knowing what the composers and the musicians went through, and their story, can help you understand and appreciate their music.
Throughout time, music has been an influential part of society. As a form of entertainment and expression, its impact has always been felt both economically and emotionally. During the Vietnam war, music evolved into more a form of expression rather than pure entertainment. Emotionally charged songs became a method to oppose the war, and vent frustrations. While many songs opposed the war, numerous others focused on peace and happiness. They provided a positive perspective in an otherwise depressing time. Along with incorporating passion into music, cultural diversity increased in music greatly. Black artists became progressively more popular and accepted in the musical scene. This respect carried over to society slowly but surely. During the Vietnam war, music played a crucial role in the societal evolution into a state where emotions fueled actions, more emphasis was put on equality, all opinions counted.
Music is an art and a wonderful gift to human race. It soothes, stimulates and makes us feel happy. It affects our moods in many different ways from lullaby to war cry for changes in the society. Music is actually distinct to different people. Above all, it has a transformational importance that is captured in its art and nature. Music draws our emotions and it has an impact of bridging different cultures across the continents. Slave songs were very vital channels through which all kind of information was conveyed both positive and negative.
It is difficult to show the effects of music on the individual, but it is easy to see how the individual chooses genres of music based on mood. The soldiers in Iraq, for instance, listened to a song by the band Drowning Pool titled, “Let the Bodies Hit the Floor,” over the speakers in their tanks. After listening to the song it would be easy to see that they didn’t just choose the song because they thought it pertained to their current situation. The song is loud, fast, and hard. The song fueled the soldiers. I don’t think that it made them into bloodthirsty savages, but I do think that it pumped them up with adrenaline. Walk into any random Gold’s Gym and I’m sure you will not hear classical or new age music, but instead some sort of rock. David in the Bible played music to soothe Saul. Due to David’s harp and voice Saul calmed down and fell asleep. This is present even in today’s society. After work, school, or any other long, exhausting event, it isn’t uncommon for people to go home and put on some soothing music in order to cure them of their horrible day.
Cohan, the author uses diction to reinforce the message of pride and joy that the song already has. ‘Over There’ was written in 1917 by George M. Cohan, the year that the United States of America joined the Great War. Through the diction, George M. Cohan inspires many possible soldiers to fight, by using words such as, “beware”, “the old Red White and Blue”. The words he uses can be associated to everyone in America, and they are words that can be identified with every single American person, no matter social level, race, or background. By using repetition, George M. Cohan, shows how the soldiers of the U.S.A. would go over there and win battles again, and again, and again. By the use of repetition and nationalistic, patriotic words, the song equates with many of young American men, and their ambition to win the war, be the difference, and contribute to the defeat of the enemy of the United States of America. The song-writer uses the family aspect when he talks about mothers and fathers, and goes back to the patriotic nationalistic theme when he writes,
“Music is uniquely wonderful. It is incapable of being touched yet it touches everyone who is capable of hear sounds. It can seemingly evoke any emotion; we instinctively respond to happy tunes, mournful songs, beautiful melodies, inspiring anthems, stirring hymns, and majestic orchestrations.” (Doolan, Robert. 1985) There is no question that music is great part of society; it has been at civilization’s side whether it be the lyres and flutes of the ancient Greeks or how it calms or excites emotions and keeps armies in order during battle. Within society, there has also been social unrest and the desire for change. Protesting is the expression of a society’s concerns on current events of which they feel affected by whether it be through public rallies, picketing, riots or even bombings. Protest through music is one powerful medium for engaging people. Amidst what life throws at individuals, music has comforted the soul, provoked individualistic thought and opinion, and music draws people together through groups alike who have the same attachment or concerns with their surroundings. Whether it be rock, jazz, blues, rap, hip hop, dance, spiritual, or world, music has inspired artists to spill out their expression and views of society. Music is a universally effective tool of protest in generating social change and unrest as it continues to unite those with like ideas.
In this passage, Vonnegut uses music to help Billy Pilgrim come to a realization war touches everyone. Its affects reach far and wide, and they can be devastating. An entire city is wiped off the map, and again,
Music is an essential part of life because of the expression it allows people to have, its entertainment, and its therapeutic ways for the world.
Music has played a role in society since the dawn of man. Said to be the beginning of communication in early civilization, music and dance have influenced how we think, act and treat members of our own society. Song and dance is used in rites of passage ceremonies such as births, weddings and funerals throughout the world. Jamaican and Yoruba cultures have made many contributions to our society. The uses of this music as a vehicle for political issues, values, and beliefs have been used by many musicians from different cultures. I intend to discuss the Contribution of these two contemporary cultures music and their effect on society.